Brooke Martin
Aspen Bay Candles is a candle manufacturing company that was established in 1976 as Candles by Bert. The company was sold in 1990 and moved to Starkville, where it was renamed Aspen Bay Candles. The company offers a wide range of candles, including jar candles and uniquely shaped candles, such as those moulded to resemble pine cones and acorns. In 2016, Aspen Bay Candles, then known as DPM Fragrance, merged with Thymes to form CURiO Brands, which is now headquartered in Minneapolis. CURiO Brands recently made headlines when it ceased production at its Lynn Lane plant in Starkville, laying off 27 employees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Starkville, Mississippi |
| Year Established | 1991 |
| Parent Company | CURiO Brands (formerly DPM Fragrance) |
| Product Line | Jar candles, candles molded to resemble pinecones, acorns, and other shapes |
| Retailers | Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, West Elm, Crate and Barrel, Francesca's, Altar'd State, and independent retailers |
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What You'll Learn
- Aspen Bay Candles was established in 1976 as Candles by Bert
- The company was sold in 1990 and moved to Starkville, Mississippi
- In 2001, Aspen Bay Candles was purchased by Tom Reed
- Aspen Bay Candles was owned by CURiO Brands, previously Thymes and DPM Fragrance
- CURiO ceased production at its Starkville plant in 2023
Aspen Bay Candles was established in 1976 as Candles by Bert
Aspen Bay Candles is a candle manufacturing company based in Starkville, Mississippi. The company was established in 1976 as Candles by Bert and was sold in 1990, after which it moved to Starkville and was renamed Aspen Bay Candles.
The product line of Aspen Bay Candles expanded to include jar candles and candles moulded to resemble natural shapes like pinecones and acorns. The company was purchased by Tom Reed in 2001, who recognised the brand value and awareness. Reed also highlighted the quality of the employees at the facility in Starkville, which influenced his decision to keep the factory in Mississippi.
Aspen Bay Candles is known for its clean and neutral fragrances, with a focus on creating candles suitable for the home. Their product line includes various candle shapes and fragrances, with an emphasis on high-quality wax, unique packaging, and safety. The company works closely with fragrance houses to develop a range of scents that appeal to a wide audience.
Aspen Bay Candles has an international reach, with distributors in Europe, South Korea, Canada, and Australia. Their products are sold through retailers such as Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, West Elm, and independent stores like the Aspen Bay store on Main Street in Starkville. The company's history, brand awareness, and commitment to quality have contributed to its success and expansion over the years.
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The company was sold in 1990 and moved to Starkville, Mississippi
The origins of Aspen Bay Candles can be traced back to 1976 when the company was known as Candles by Bert. In 1990, the company was sold and moved to Starkville, Mississippi, where it was renamed Aspen Bay Candles. This move marked a new chapter in the company's history and signalled its expansion into new product lines.
Starkville, nestled in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, became the new home of Aspen Bay Candles. The company's presence in the city is a testament to its long-standing connection with the community. Over the years, Aspen Bay Candles has established itself as a prominent local business, with its products reflecting a combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative design.
The decision to relocate to Starkville was a strategic one. Mississippi offered a favourable business environment and provided access to a dedicated workforce. The state's rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene also aligned with the company's creative spirit and commitment to producing high-quality, aesthetically pleasing products.
Under its new ownership and location, Aspen Bay Candles thrived. The company expanded its product line to include jar candles and uniquely shaped candles, such as those moulded to resemble pinecones and acorns. This expansion showcased the brand's creativity and attention to detail, solidifying its reputation as a leading candle-making company.
The move to Starkville also brought new opportunities for collaboration and growth. Aspen Bay Candles developed strong relationships with local businesses and retailers, fostering a sense of community and support. The company's presence in Mississippi contributed to the state's economic development and placed it on the map as a hub for candle-making excellence.
Today, Aspen Bay Candles continues to be associated with Mississippi, and its products are beloved by customers not just in the state but across the globe. The company's journey, from its inception in 1976 to its transformation in 1990, showcases the power of adaptation and innovation in building a successful and enduring brand.
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In 2001, Aspen Bay Candles was purchased by Tom Reed
Aspen Bay Candles was purchased by Tom Reed in 2001. Reed, a partner in a business that manufactured packaging machinery and later in one that produced private label candles, recognised a business opportunity when Aspen Bay Candles ran into trouble and was facing financial difficulties. The company had a brand and brand awareness that Reed could leverage. Originally, he intended to move the factory to Indiana, but he eventually decided to keep the factory in Starkville, Mississippi, realising that he had better employees at the current facility.
Aspen Bay Candles has had a long history, dating back to 1976 when it was known as Candles by Bert. In 1990, the company was sold, relocated to Starkville, and renamed Aspen Bay Candles. The product line was expanded to include jar candles and candles moulded to resemble pine cones, acorns, and other shapes. In 2001, Tom Reed purchased the company, and under his ownership, Aspen Bay Candles continued to thrive and grow.
The company is known for its high-quality candles with unique fragrances and designs. Reed emphasised the complexity of candlemaking, which involves not only high-quality wax and fragrance but also personality-filled containers and unique packaging. Aspen Bay Candles is described as "clean and neutral for home," with trendy and fashion-forward fragrances under the Capri Blue line. The Volcano-scented candle, in particular, has gained popularity, along with its cobalt blue jar that serves as an accent piece.
DPM Fragrance, the parent company of Aspen Bay Candles, has an international reach. Their candles are sold by major retailers such as Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, West Elm, and thousands of independent retailers, including the Aspen Bay store on Main Street in Starkville. In recent years, DPM Fragrance has expanded its product line to include reed diffusers, room sprays, and hand soap, with an expected production of 2.5 million candles in 2015. The company's success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its employees and the quality of its products.
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Aspen Bay Candles was owned by CURiO Brands, previously Thymes and DPM Fragrance
Aspen Bay Candles was owned by CURiO Brands, which was previously known as Thymes and DPM Fragrance. The history of DPM dates back to 1976 when the candle company Candles by Bert was established. The company was sold in 1990, moved to Starkville, and renamed Aspen Bay Candles. In 2001, Aspen Bay Candles was purchased by Tom Reed, who intended to move the factory to Indiana but ultimately kept it in Starkville due to the quality of the local employees.
DPM Fragrance, based in Starkville, Mississippi, had an international reach, producing 1.8 million candles with various fragrances and selling them through retailers such as Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and West Elm. DPM Fragrance worked with fragrance houses to create a variety of scents and collaborated with suppliers to produce unique vessel designs for their candles.
In 2016, Thymes and DPM Fragrance merged to form CURiO, headquartered in Minneapolis. The candle-making plant in Starkville, which operated for over two decades, was a part of this merger. However, in 2023, CURiO Brands announced the immediate cessation of production at its Lynn Lane plant in Starkville, laying off 27 employees. The decision was made due to disagreements over a new lease with the prospective new property owner, Castle Properties.
Despite the changes in ownership and mergers over the years, Aspen Bay Candles remained a recognised brand, known for its clean and neutral fragrances suitable for the home. The company offered a range of candle products, including jar candles and uniquely shaped candles resembling pinecones and acorns.
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CURiO ceased production at its Starkville plant in 2023
Aspen Bay Candles, a candle-making company, was established in 1976 as Candles by Bert. In 1990, the company was sold, moved to Starkville, and renamed Aspen Bay Candles. Over the years, Aspen Bay Candles expanded its product line to include jar candles and candles moulded to resemble pine cones, acorns, and other shapes. In 2001, Tom Reed, an entrepreneur from Georgia, purchased the company. Aspen Bay Candles was then owned by two separate companies, Thymes and DPM Fragrance, which merged in 2016 to form CURiO Brands, headquartered in Minneapolis.
DPM Fragrance, the Starkville-based candle-making company, has an international reach, producing 1.8 million candles with various fragrances and selling them through retailers like Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and independent stores like the Aspen Bay store on Main Street in Starkville.
However, in February 2023, CURiO Brands announced it would immediately cease production at its Lynn Lane plant in Starkville, laying off 27 employees. The decision was due to disagreements over a new lease with the prospective new property owner, Castle Properties. CURiO's Chief Executive Officer, Anne Ward, stated that they were unable to come to terms with the new owners, who would take ownership on March 1, 2023.
The company planned to move all equipment and operations to its Highway 12 facility in Starkville and other plants in the Midwest, aiming to transition quickly. Despite the closure of the Lynn Lane plant, CURiO Brands continues to operate, and the Aspen Bay store on Main Street in Starkville remains open.
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Frequently asked questions
Aspen Bay Candles are made in Starkville, Mississippi.
Aspen Bay Candles was previously owned by Candles by Bert and then Tom Reed. In 2016, Thymes and DPM Fragrance, the company that owned Aspen Bay Candles, merged to form CURiO Brands.
Aspen Bay Candles are sold at the Aspen Bay store on Main Street in Starkville. They are also sold at Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, West Elm, Crate and Barrel, Francesca’s, and Altar’d State.
